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Blue-collar Bomber ready for a win against Warrnambool

The 21-year-old has successfully played forward and midfield roles for the Bombers this year and last year played in defence.

Entering today’s second semi-final against minor premier Warrnambool at Koroit, Cahill can expect a role up forward. Last week he kicked 2.1, including a crucial goal that gave the Bombers breathing space during a 12-point win over Camperdown.

You won’t hear Cahill complaining about where he’s positioned or asking for a preferred spot.

“I’m not a star,” he said.

“If I get a role down forward I will do that as well as I can. It doesn’t bother me where I play as long as we are winning. I’m happy to do my bit.”

Cahill is one of a majority of the Bombers who fly under the radar of opponents. While they have a core group of gun players, including ruckman Levi Dare, midfielder Joe Dare, captain Paul Foster, vice-captain Paul Hinkley, forward Tim Horan and defender Greg Tongs, the rest of the side is largely made up of hard-working, team-oriented players aged between 16 and 21.

“If everyone does their job, we are going to win,” Cahill said.

“It’s not a matter of a handful of us doing our jobs, we all have to do our roles. Everyone just has to stick to Wayne’s (coach Wayne Robertson) game plan, we just back him.”

Cahill was a Colac boy, who after playing at Irrewarra-Beeac where Robertson coached, found his way to Cobden through his cousin Paul Hinkley. He played under 18s with the Bombers in 2009 after starting a building apprenticeship with Hinkley.

In 2010 under coach James Gellie he made his debut and last year found a regular spot in the senior team as he broke into the midfield.

This season, like many of his teammates, he has enjoyed a good second half.

“The last two months my fitness has been better,” he said. “I try and do an extra session on a Wednesday and the body is not too bad.”

Cahill said a strong bond between teammates had underpinned Cobden’s rise this season.

Today he hopes the Bombers will make it nine wins from their past 10 matches when they confront Warrnambool.

“We are all pretty confident. We know Warrnambool is the benchmark but we are confident internally we can knock them off.”